stealth

1 of 2

noun

ˈstelth 

1

: a cautious, unobtrusive, and secretive way of moving or proceeding intended to avoid detection

Makos, among the fastest of sharks, chase down their prey. Slower species … rely on stealth …

—Steve Kemper

The intricate labor … required courage and stealth.

—Sue M. Halpern

As we walked closer we began treading with exaggerated stealth until we came very close …

—Dorothy Dimsdale

A thief does his work in secret and by stealth.

—Harry Shaw

2

: an aircraft-design characteristic consisting of oblique angular construction and avoidance of vertical surfaces that is intended to produce a very weak radar return

—usually used before another noun

a stealth bomber/fighter

stealth aircraft

stealth technology

3

a

archaic : theft

b

obsolete : something stolen

stealth

2 of 2

adjective

1

: intended not to attract attention : stealthy

a stealth campaign

… the company has operated in stealth mode until now.

—Steve Silberman

Her team seemed to communicate with a secret stealth language …

—E. L. Konigsburg

see also stealth entry 1 sense 2

2

medical : involving or caused by an asymptomatic or presymptomatic infectious individual : silent sense 6b

stealth spread/transmission of a contagious disease

Synonyms of stealth

Adjective

• clandestine
• sneak
• covert
• undercover
• underground
• sneaking
• private

Examples of stealth in a Sentence

Noun

The fox uses stealth and cunning to hunt its prey.

Adjective

the SWAT team carried out a stealth raid on the house, which was believed to be harboring a terrorist cell

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

It’s being expected that the engine could eventually power future variants of the KAAN stealth fighter program. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 May 2026

People are increasingly looking to avoid AI features, which makes this 4GB stealth download all the more questionable. —ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026

Adjective

Built for stealth surveillance missions The XRQ-73 still has its large lower fuselage fairing, which is probably meant to carry intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance equipment. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026

First, there was the stealth appearance of a B-2 Spirit bomber, which glided like a quiet bird in flight as the national anthem, sung by 10-year-old Alexandria Arango, was winding down. —Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 6 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English stelthe; akin to Old English stelan to steal

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Adjective

1978, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing stealth

• by stealth

Rhymes for stealth

• health
• wealth
• bridewealth
• commonwealth
• telehealth

Kids Definition

stealth

1 of 2 noun

ˈstelth 

1

: sly or secret action

2

: a design style intended to make an aircraft difficult to detect by radar

stealth

2 of 2 adjective

: intended not to attract attention : stealthy sense 2

a stealth campaign